Davis & Saltzman trial delayed after prosecutor falls ill

The trial of Robyn Davis and Carol Sissy Saltzman is over before the jury had a chance to hear any evidence. District Attorney John DeRosier came to court to ask for a continuance because prosecutor Rick Bryant has become ill and has some health issues his doctors say need immediate attention.

The evidence portion of the second degree murder trial of Robyn Davis and Saltzman was just about to start--when the case came to an abrupt halt. The state asked for the trial to be continued because Bryant is ill and has, what DeRosier says, are some significant medical issues.

DeRosier says only Bryant is currently prepared to try the complicated case. "I think the interest of justice in this case requires that we do this. We cannot allow ourselves to get caught in a position where the only attorney who has been involved in this case since day one, and knows this case backwards and forwards, is not in sufficient physical condition to go forward with this case. at any point from this day forward in this trial."

It was a frustrating situation for all involved since it had taken four days to seat a jury. But Scott Davis, whose brother Brian was murdered, says the court made the right decision because Bryant knows the case like no one else. "The murder of Brian was completely orchestrated and it was a pre-meditated act by these two individuals, carried out by these two individuals. And the evidence will show how these individuals lied to authorities and to others, family members, and to people, loved ones looking for Brian."

If the jury had been sworn, the state would have been forced to go forward or dismiss the charges since a person cannot be tried twice for the same crime.

Defense attorneys think the jury should have been sworn. Glen Vamvoras represents Robyn Davis. "Our clients did not commit murder and we were so eager to prove that to the community even though we don't have to prove anything, we wanted these girls to leave the courthouse vindicated."

Shane Hinch represents Carol Sissy Saltzman. "We completely believe that they did not commit any homicide and that after all the evidence is heard, that they will be vindicated, that the jury will return a not guilty verdict."

Jurors have been relieved of their duties and sent home. The case won't start again before January. DeRosier says Bryant's health issues are being dealt with by his doctors.

On another case, DeRosier responded to criticism from local defense attorney Cliff Newman. Newman said it was unfair to present the case of Lan Le to a grand jury when Newman could not be prepared due to a death in his family.

But DeRosier says the case, which involves alleged cruelty to a juvenile, did not even have to be presented to a grand jury. "This is the kind of case that we can go forward with criminal charges without even going to a grand jury. We don't have to have the grand jury in this case to go forward. We often times present these kinds of cases to grand juries, but we're not legally obligated to do so. So, neither Mr. Newman or his client lost anything in these proceedings."

A previous grand jury had heard the case of Lan Le, but took no action.

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A large police presence was on Third Street, near La. 14, Thursday morning after receiving a call of a possible kidnapping, said Lt. Richard Harrell, with the Lake Charles Police Department. The person who was the target of the alleged kidnapping is an adult an is in police care, Harrell said. Harrell said Lake Charles police and members of the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office searched for the suspect, but were unable to locate the person. Copyright 2018 KPLC. All rights reserved.

Leesville resident Ashley Johnson Stanley caught an incredible video of a rainbow in her backyard. Stanley says she filmed it during a rainstorm on Tuesday. Copyright 2018 KPLC. All rights reserved.More >>

Leesville resident Ashley Johnson Stanley caught an incredible video of a rainbow in her backyard. Stanley says she filmed it during a rainstorm on Tuesday. Copyright 2018 KPLC. All rights reserved.More >>

At least 1,124 residents are without power from Pujol Road all the way to Moeling Street near La. 171 according to the Entergy Map. According to Entergy, a serviceman is working to determine the cause of the outage. Power will be restored as soon as possible. Entergy estimates power will be restored by 2:30 p.m. Traffic lights may be affected. Copyright 2018 KPLC. All rights reserved.

At least 1,124 residents are without power from Pujol Road all the way to Moeling Street near La. 171 according to the Entergy Map. According to Entergy, a serviceman is working to determine the cause of the outage. Power will be restored as soon as possible. Entergy estimates power will be restored by 2:30 p.m. Traffic lights may be affected. Copyright 2018 KPLC. All rights reserved.

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This Saturday, the Louisiana Passenger Safety Task Force is hosting a free child passenger safety seat check event in Lake Charles, according to Sgt. James Anderson of Louisiana State Police. Anyone who transports a young child in a vehicle is encouraged to take advantage of this service. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of deaths in children, many of which can be prevented with proper seat checks, says Anderson. Anderson says nationally certified child passen...

Johnnie Hardman has been found guilty of first-degree murder, armed robbery with a firearm, and two counts of conspiracy to commit armed robbery for the July 2017 murder of Joshua Touchet. The verdict was reached by the jury after 43 minutes of deliberation. Theresa Schmidt was in the courtroom. To see all of her coverage of the trial, view her Twitter feed below. Tweets by KplcTschmidt

Johnnie Hardman has been found guilty of first-degree murder, armed robbery with a firearm, and two counts of conspiracy to commit armed robbery for the July 2017 murder of Joshua Touchet. The verdict was reached by the jury after 43 minutes of deliberation. Theresa Schmidt was in the courtroom. To see all of her coverage of the trial, view her Twitter feed below. Tweets by KplcTschmidt